“People gravitate toward compact, walkable areas with short street blocks.” — Bob Reinsel Sr., Fairfax City Citizens for Smarter Growth
Before the Fairfax City Council voted on the University Drive extension, several residents expressed their opinions during the public hearing. Representing the Fairfax City Citizens for Smarter Growth, Bob Reinsel Sr. said, “We believe the extension of University Drive is an important step in making Northfax on Fairfax Boulevard into a central commercial area and a more attractive destination.”
He noted many residents’ concerns about the resulting increased traffic jeopardizing pedestrian and bike safety on University Drive south of Fairfax Boulevard. But he said the dogleg and roundabout will likely slow traffic in the extension, thereby lessening impacts on University between Fairfax Boulevard and Kenmore Drive.
“People gravitate toward compact, walkable areas with short street blocks,” said Reinsel. “Businesses want to locate there. The creation of a local street network in this commercial corridor will improve access to jobs, stores and services for City residents. It will create a block structure that can attract high-quality, mixed-use development. This is essential to building the tax base needed to support high-quality schools and other public services, while reducing the burden on residential property taxes.”
Diane Henn liked the road’s recently revised design and said that shopping center needs an upgrading. “A new, dynamic, shopping center would certainly be a boon to the City,” she said. “But I’m still dubious about the potential traffic congestion.”
Bob Kemp said the increase in University Drive traffic is still a concern, and “it shouldn’t wait until 2022 to be addressed. Speed has increased, too, so I’d say, ‘Hold off on this project until additional concerns in the area can be addressed.’”
However, Councilman Jeff Greenfield said the City could use General Fund money to alleviate residents’ challenges on University Drive. For example, he said, “We could put in bump-outs to slow traffic and help people get out of their driveways.” And Transportation Director Wendy Block Sanford said funding has been earmarked do some spot improvements there in this new, fiscal year.”
University Drive resident Margaret Teer said, “Walking across my street is incredibly difficult; drivers aren’t concerned about the residents’ safety. And a lot of people park on the road; so [with this plan], residents who’ve lived there 30 years would have to park their cars elsewhere.”
Neighbor Amy Anspach said a cut-through from downtown Fairfax to I-66 via University “is not what the residents want. And the time this project will take – five years – will leave Northfax vacant for a long time.” But another speaker said it’s already a cut-through and the road extension will make the land more attractive to developers, so he supports the project.
Colin Riley, however, called roundabouts “hideous” and said the project costs “a tremendous amount of money that’ll benefit a few, commercial-property owners and not City residents.” And Talya Schultz, who’d recommended the dogleg, said the developers and property owners should build the road, themselves.
Daniel Feng doubted this project would improve traffic congestion. And, added Carol Troy, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. If the citizens don’t want it, maybe we should give the money back.” The Council also received several comments online and via email; six were in favor of the road extension and 24 were opposed.